WINONA LAKE — Budget concerns and local projects dominated an otherwise short agenda for the Winona Lake Town Council during its regular meeting, held Tuesday evening, Aug. 16.

It was announced that the town’s budget for the remainder of 2016 has been reduced by a total of $43,800. This was due to overspending in the first half of the year, attributed to a loss of Local Option Income Tax funding. The reduction is to prevent further overspending the budget.

Winona Lake resident Jim LeMasters was present and expressed concern that the budget would be overspent. He asked if this has ever happened before. Clerk-Treasurer Kent Adams replied that it has happened, though not recently, and other towns have experienced similar situations.

The reductions will take place in the police department, fire department, parks and central office.

The council held a public work session last Tuesday, Aug. 9, to discuss the 2017 budget. Adams provided a handout summarizing the meeting. The council set its proposed 2017 budget at 3 percent higher than the 2016 budget. The majority of the increase, according to information provided by Adams, will be funded through the county wheel tax, making the actual proposed increase closer to 1 percent over the 2016 budget.

Proposed in the budget was a 2 percent wage increase for employees, however Adams’ pay will remain the same. Other factors discussed were gas, insurance and the trash contract.

These figures are proposed for advertisement purposes only and this is not the final 2017 budget. The council will advertise the budget Thursday, Aug. 1.

Other News

• Bids were received for the sidewalk and paths along Pierceton Road. Phend and Brown submitted the low bid at $169,977.95. Niblock Excavating had also submitted a bid for $220,756. The council approved Phend and Brown for the project.
• Phend and Brown was also awarded the bid for improvements to Sandra Lane in the area of Charles Street. Flooding has been an ongoing problem in that area. The project will include tearing up all existing gravel, asphalt, curbs and gutters and installing all new, plus correcting the grade for better drainage. Phend and Brown bid $75,382.